Sunday, 28 February 2016

This year I've decided to roll out a new colour scheme for the army: one I've trailed before on newer models (such as my possessed). Today's post showcases the first 600 points, and is what I plan to start using at a local campaign event at our new GW store.

Overall this list should be very effective against power armour. The AP3 bolters make light work of marines (last game they easily ripped up some tactical squads and devastators. With plenty of sorcerers I also generate a good handful of power dice. Meltabombs on the characters give me a bit of insurance against walkers or MCs that get too close.

Whilst the sons take out infantry, the dreadnought helps soak up return fire and can handle most unit types.

Leading the force is a sorcerer on a disk, both to unlock sons as troops, and to take on enemy commanders and vehicles, where strength 6 (8 with fiery form and staff, or strength 6 with shred from the claw) can take on the majority of vehicles from the back. The disc helps with survivability and mobility. I plan to upgrade the mastery level at higher points levels, and will try to squeeze in a familiar for more reliable casting.

The spawn are there to soak up shots and act as bodyguards to weaken squads whilst the sorcerer handles any characters. Made from the now OOP Tomb Kings Ushabti, they form a great looking and thematic bodyguard unit. I have a third model to make, but I'll need to source another pair of arms.

This list does struggle against any flyers, so the next upgrade will be a form of AA or heavier weapons. It is also a very elite force, numbering only 14 models. Using such a small force should be interested for developing tactics and handling different opponents. I have plenty of cool models coming up for this army, so stay tuned for more.

Monday, 22 February 2016

The Idolator MKII is the result of experimentation, canibalisation of machine spirits, and complete disregard of the teachings of Mars.Each Idolator starts off as a Leman Russ, Chimera, or similarly-sized Imperial vehicle. The armour plating is removed and replaced with Astates grade plating, typically Plasteel or bonded Ceramite, depending on availability. The more a warband pays, the better stock they get in return. The engines are upgraded to ensure greater speed and reliability. Advanced filtration systems are added when the vehicles are expected to battle in high-pollution or desert landscapes.

In terms of armaments, most are equipped with the potent Demolisher Cannon; an easily available, deadly siege gun. However, a number are equipped with the Xana V Lascannon array. A hellish-six-barrelled laser weapon, the laser weapon is equal in power to the venerable Rapier Lascannon, once a common sight in Imperial forces. Despite it's potency, it is a volatile weapon. At full power it has been known to overheat and occasionally explode. To help combat this, Idolators with the Xana V have additional ventalation systems fitted to the flank of the vehicle. It makes the weapon more vulnerable to enemy fire, but anything facing the barrels is unlikely to survive.Idolators, though rarely seen, has proven to be a potent machine. in M38.91, a pair of Xana Idolators in hiding brought down the venerable Knight Immortal Reverance, in a cascade of light. The helm of this famous titan now hangs from the prow of Eternal Torment, in tow with the Thousand Sons of the Heralds of Change warband.

The two tanks, once a pair of Leman Russes, now sport a strikingly different look. This week's seen some of the final pieces of the puzzle fit in.

The main gun issue has been solved. I've used a pair of Hades Autocannons to represent the Rapier guns. The barrel size is close to FW-scale Lascannons, so in terms of weapon size it should be just fine. I'll add in some extra cabling to make it appear more integrated. Both tanks have added Havoc Launchers for any leftover infantry. The left-side one was missing a front plate and mount, so those have been custom made.

For the engine, the system's been completed with exhausts from a Knight titan; leftover from the Chaos Knight conversion. A fuel barrel and mounts help finish off the back end.

The final stage of the build is a ton of rivets (fun!). Once that job is done the paint schemes can be applies and the tanks will be ready for their first games.

Sunday, 7 February 2016

Many of the tanks in 40k are armed with sponson mounted secondary (sometimes primary) weapons. It's important to house them in something strong, both in-game and in the real world. As lovely as Forge World Deimos weapons are, they are fragile. So here's a nice third party alternative for your viewing pleasure.

These sponsons, the Double Beta, cost around £11.05 for a pair, and are suitable for larger tanks such as the Land Raider. Their shape makes them unsuitable for Baneblades (without modification, the Alpha is a better option) The sponsons don't some with locating pegs, so a good bit of eye-work and guessing is needed to ensure that they line up right, but it does make it compatible with other ranges of tanks with only a bit of work.

The kit is fairly straightforward to put together, with each sponson made up of seven parts. There are no instructions but it's fairly straightforward to work out anyway.

In all honesty the above part could have been reworked from five parts to three, but I guess it helps with modifying the angles of the guns.

The kit doesn't come with guns, but it's very easy to add your own (a selection of weapons are also available from Blood and Skulls). The kit includes recessed holes for magnets, or you could glue weapons directly to the weapon mounts, which swivel left and right once assembled.

On the tank they have a MKIIB feel to them, though much shorter. Still, there's plenty of surface area to glue them onto the tank. For more strength, either pinning them,or gluing a door on first for more surface area, will help.

If you're after some tough-looking armoured gun-mounts, then these offerings will do a great job of that. The weapon mounts maybe slightly over-engineered, but that's airways prefered over an under-designed mono-part upgrade.